Help manage your disease
There are actions you can take to help manage your everyday symptoms of COPD, which may reduce the likelihood of an exacerbation and the associated risk of causing irreversible damage to your lungs:²⁻⁵
Stop smoking
Smoking cessation decreases the amount of harmful chemicals in your lungs that can trigger exacerbations. Speak to your healthcare professional for advice and support to stop smoking.
Keep active
Movement, as recommended by your healthcare professional, can help you continue to do the things you care about. Pulmonary rehabilitation may be recommended, however ask your healthcare professional if this is right for you. It is not suitable for everyone and will be recommended by your healthcare professional on a case-by-case basis.
Connect with others
In support groups, you can talk about your COPD openly. You can relate to one another, share strategies, and find connections.
Looking out for loved ones
Living with or caring for someone with COPD can be challenging. You deserve to take back control in your life knowing that your loved one is receiving the right care and information to manage their condition.⁶⁻⁸
Ask for help
You may feel isolated, frustrated and upset when looking after your loved one. But friends, family, and other members of your community may be waiting for you to reach out.
Join a support group
You’re not alone. Joining a support group for caregivers of people with serious illnesses is a great way to connect and find help.
Practise self-care
While it can be easy to focus solely on your loved one, it’s essential to prioritise your own health, including your mental and social wellness.
DPOC Referências
- American Lung Association. (n.d.). American Lung Association: Homepage. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://www.lung.org/#twitter
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Symptoms and Causes. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/copd/symptoms-causes/syc-20353679
- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. (2024). Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2024 report). Retrieved March 25, 2024, from https://goldcopd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GOLD-2024_v1.2-11Jan24_WMV.pdf
- American Lung Association. (n.d.). Physical Activity and COPD. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/living-with-copd/physical-activity
- American Lung Association. (n.d.). Finding Support for COPD. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/finding-support
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic Homepage. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). (n.d.). COPD caregivers toolkit. Retrieved August 9, 2024, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/copd-learn-more-breathe-better/copd-caregivers-toolkit